Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has backed Gareth Bale as he said the forward wants to continue with the club and the fans must stop booing him.

The Wales player was given a mixed treatment when he came on as a substitute during Real's 3-1 home victory over Real Sociedad in La Liga. With the win on Sunday, Real Madrid are leveled on points with leaders, FC Barcelona, who are ahead only on the goal difference.

Bale dragged himself in the middle of a controversy among Real fans when he celebrated Wales' qualification for the Euro 2020 by holding a flag with the message "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order." It was a chant from Wales fans that highlights Bale's supposed list of priorities.

On Sunday, it was Bale's first appearance for Real Madrid in seven weeks after the Wales flag incident.

Talking about Bale's current tricky situation with Real fans, Zidane said, "There is too much noise with Bale. He wants to be with us and do it well. I hope this doesn't carry on for the rest of the season."

"We want the fans to be with us from the beginning to the end, but we cannot control that. I have not spoken to him [about the jeers], I have only congratulated him. I can't tell you if it's unfair or not. Everyone can say what they want," Zidane added.

Bale's relationship with Real fans has never been top-notch since his move to Madrid from Tottenham in 2013 for a world-record fee of $109 million despite helping them win as many as four Champions League titles.

In fact, in July, Bale even came close to moving to the Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning with coach Zidane saying his exit would be "best for everyone". The move, however, was called off at the last minute when Real apparently asked a high transfer fee.